Page 329 - Deception at work all chapters EBook

382 An HR Guide to Workplace Fraud and Criminal Behaviour

Principles
General

All witness interviews should be conducted in private and should normally be non-confron-
tational, based on all of the rapport-building techniques described on pages 9 and 132–133
and an adult-to-adult transactional relationship. Important or complex interviews should
be covertly tape-recorded. You must be careful not to reveal sensitive information, nor make
derogatory comments about anyone, including the suspects. You should have all of the docu-
ments and other evidence you plan to discuss with the witness assembled in the way in which
you plan to produce them as key points (see page 162).

Keep it at an unemotional level, but very professional

In complex cases, the chances are that you will not be able to complete the interview and
draft Proof of Evidence in one session. This does not matter, providing you:

• complete the freestyle version in one continuous session;
• get all documentary evidence from third party witnesses as soon as possible;
• make sure that any draft statements you prepare in the absence of the witness are subse-

quently agreed by him, line by line.

Thus you may arrange the detailed reporting phase, external stimulation sessions etc. on sepa-
rate days and start completing and updating a draft Proof of Evidence after each one, rather
than leaving it until the end.

Monitoring and remaining aware
In every interview you should keep all of your senses switched on and monitor the subject’s
responses. However, in the early phases, you should not challenge anything that he says.
Let the subject tell his story in a truly freestyle way and ideally do not take notes, other than
simple bullet points30 and Mind Maps. Actively listen to every word he says and evaluate his
non-verbal communications.

Stay alert

The opening and freestyle story

As always, you should carefully plan and deliver an opening statement including:

• who you are;
• what you do;
• the reason for the interview and possible duration (always allow sufficient time);
• the structure of the interview;
• establish common objectives;
• emphasize confidentiality and security.

For example, in a simple case, with a witness you have evaluated as willing (Category A in Table
9.7), the opening might be as follows.

30 And only then when the witness has paused